Spencer Rattler, No. 2 Oklahoma Fend off Tulane in Thrilling Season Opener

It’s the fifth straight year Oklahoma
has opened its season with a win.

Key Game Stats

QB Spencer Rattler (OU): 30 of 39 for 304 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; rushing TD

QB Michael Pratt (TU): 27 of 44 for 296 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; rushing TD

RB Kennedy Brooks (OU): 14 carries for 87 yards, 1 TD

RB Cameron Carroll (TU): 50 total yards, 2 TD

WR Jaetavian Toles (TU): 57 total yards, 1 TD

WR Marvin Mims (OU): 5 catches for 117 yards

WR Mario Williams (OU): 6 catchers for 37 yards, 1 TD

Rattler, OU Face Plenty of Room for Improvement After Narrow Win

Oklahoma overcame a sluggish start—Tulane led 14-7 late in the first quarter, and the game remained tied
until five minutes into the second period—to pick up the victory
and avoid putting itself in a must-win situation for the
remainder of the regular season, and that’s all that truly matters in Week 1.

That said, it was far from the most
efficient performance for Lincoln Riley’s group in a game that still hung in the balance late in the fourth quarter.

Rattler was playing pitch-and-catch
with his receivers against an overmatched Tulane secondary for much
of the game, but in situations where he was forced to throw in to
coverage he sailed several throws over the heads of his targets. His first interception came on an attempt into triple coverage down the field.

Oklahoma also failed to take advantage
of back-to-back fumbles by Green Wave quarterback Michael Pratt in
the second quarter. It set the Sooners up with dream field position
in opposing territory both times, including once at the Tulane 11,
but they only came away with a pair of field goals. They must convert those chances against better teams.

The OU defense really toughened up
after the first quarter, but even it has some teaching points after
allowing touchdown drives of 55 and 75 yards the first two times
Tulane had the ball. It also appeared to tire in the second half to leave the door open for a comeback.

That’s not to say there weren’t plenty
of positives for the Sooners in the blowout win.

Rattler was terrific when given time to
stand tall in the pocket to deliver strikes, including a 50-yard
connection with Marvin Mims that was initially called a touchdown
before being reversed on review because the sophomore receiver
stepped out of bounds at the two.

Running back Kennedy Brooks looked
fresh and primed for a big year after opting out of the 2020 campaign. He helped seal the win in the final two minutes after a Tulane rally.

The defensive front seven was able to
wear down the Tulane offensive line to create constant pressure and
set the stage for OU’s 23-0 second quarter.

Kicker Gabe Brkic was also among the
standouts with four field goals, highlighted by three from beyond 50
yards.

Oklahoma has championship-level
expectations, however, and it takes nearly flawless football come
playoff time in order to reach that potential. Few programs know that
better than OU, which has reached the CFP three times in the past
four years but failed to advance beyond the semifinals.

Saturday’s win was a first step in the
12-week regular-season journey for the Sooners. They got the win, but
there’s plenty of work to do and errors to iron out in the months
ahead as they pursue the title.

What’s Next?

Oklahoma is back in action next
Saturday when it hosts FCS opponent Western Carolina. It marks the
second of four straight home games to open the season for the Sooners.

The Green Wave were also scheduled to
play at home next Saturday against Morgan State. That game has been
changed to a neutral-site contest at Legion Field in Birmingham,
Alabama.